Journalist Mech Dara’s reporting on cyber slavery compounds based out of Cambodia shone a light on a rapidly expanding form of modern slavery. However, despite winning awards for his heroism in reporting, Dara was recently arrested on what most observers agree are trumped up charges aimed at stopping his reporting. But there is increasing international pressure for his immediate release according to a recent Newsweek article. 

Cambodian government “tit for tat” 

Mech Dara was one of the first journalists to do in-depth investigation into human trafficking connected to online scam operations, or cyber slavery. His reporting on operations in Cambodia helped bring international attention to the issue. It also led to much needed improvements in the Cambodian government’s anti-trafficking response. Experts believe it’s no coincidence that Dara’s arrest came hot on the heels of U.S. Treasury sanctions on a prominent Cambodian businessman Dara linked to the crime.  

Phil Robertson, director of Asia Human Rights and Labour Advocates said: 

“By arresting Mech Dara, the Cambodian government shows that it neither respects media freedom nor cares about efforts to investigate and clean up the burgeoning ‘pig butchering‘ scam center enterprises operating with impunity in the country.” 

Dara’s investigation drew links between Ly Yong Phat, a Cambodian senator and businessman, and cyber slavery compounds that dot the countryside. In addition, Dara reported on corruption in Cambodian government and the government’s complicity in the illegal operations. Rights experts feel he was most likely arrested due to an “abusive legal complaint from the provincial administration for simply doing his job of reporting information of public interest”.  

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